Chapter 19
Wedding crasher
I was set down near a church. People were dressed in fancy clothes and eating. I mechanically changed my clothes to match the women's and changed my appearance to "less Talia". Browner hair, normal-er green eyes, faded scars.
I made a card and put it on the gift table. Then I was ushered to the buffet before I could slip away and forced to take some food. I tossed it in the trash. The moonstone glimmered in the sun.
"Talitsa?" He was wearing a black suit.
Tears started falling before I knew they were there. He led me away. I buried my face in his shirt and cried harder as he rubbed my back.
"It's my fault. I couldn't do anything, I couldn't save my mom! If I was never born…" I sobbed. I didn't want to time travel anymore. I wanted Dad.
"It's not your fault, Talitsa. You can't control where the Phoenix takes you. You're not to blame." Grandpa reassured. He held me until I was done crying.
"I wanna go home." I sniffed.
He wiped my face. "I know, you want some water?"
"Ok." I said.
I put my glamor on and I followed him back to the buffet. I got a little food and ate. Grandpa snacked, but mostly watched me. I didn't really taste anything. I just chewed until it was gone. I felt someone hug me. It was Alex. He was 6.
"Why're you sad?" He asked.
"My mom died." I smoothed his hair back.
"My con- condoll-" He twisted up his lips.
"Condolences." Grandpa told him. Alex nodded.
"Have you seen Alexan-" Owen paused, stunned.
A whirlwind of emotions passed over his face. I numbly wondered why he was so surprised. He hugged me. I buried my face in his chest. Smoke filled the room as a fire started from somewhere and everyone ran out. The sprinkles went off, soaking us. The Phoenix formed from the flames. Owen held me closer. Puck's magic bubbled over and his mortal form grew fangs, talons, and pointed ears. Their eyes blazed.
"Leave her alone!" Grandpa yelled.
"I am returning her home." It said.
"YOU HURT HER!" They snarled inhumanly. "YOU TOOK HER AWAY FROM US!"
"Everything that happened was destined to, little Puck." The Phoenix flapped its wings and I was taken away.
Talia's POV End
Alex's POV
The Phoenix appeared and spit Talia out. She had a backpack and was wearing a red satin dress with pink and gold trim. I frowned. That was like what Mom wore at Grandpa's wedding. I remembered that sad girl near the buffet table-
"Oh, no…" I whispered.
Talia began bawling, stumbling on her heels. Puck watched with glazed eyes before he snapped back into focus and caught her.
"Shh, it's ok, Sweetie, you're home now. Daddy's here. I'm here." He soothed.
The door opened.
Alex's POV End
